Every time Halloween comes around, I'm always reminded of Screamin' Jay Hawkin's I Put a Spell on You, released in 1956.
His outrageous theatrical shock rock performances accentuated his ghoulish demeanor, as he raised out of a coffin in the midst of smoke and fog. The audience would soon be confronted with a shaman-like man with a long cape, tusks, and a cane with a skull atop, as well on-stage snakes, fireworks, and additional props. This act was considered as one of the first shock rock performance.
Commenting on the creative origins of this song, Hawkin's said,
"[the producer] brought in ribs and chicken and got everybody drunk, and we came out with this weird version ... I don't even remember making the record. Before, I was just a normal blues singer. I was just Jay Hawkins. It all sort of just fell in place. I found out I could do more destroying a song and screaming it to death."
This version was ultimately banned from radio for its outrageous style.
Live Performance
Studio Album Version
Hip-hop aficionados will recognize the intro was sampled for the DJ Premier-produced Kick in the Door by The Notorious B.I.G. from the 1997 release Life After Death. Classic.
Thanks for listening,
@scuzzy